Pianist
George Colligan
joins forces with Danish bassist
Jesper Bodilsen
for an outstanding duo session. The focus is mostly on originals by jazz pianists, including two pieces by the leader. The constantly shifting
"Twins"
has many exciting moments of musical E.S.P. as one player anticipates the other's direction, while
"Scandinavian Rhythm"
follows an equally challenging path. Canadian pianist
John Stetch
wrote the haunting
"Heavens of a Hundred Days,"
a piece interpreted with a soft, sensitive approach by the duo.
Bodilsen
opens
Keith Jarrett
's
"So Tender"
with an intricate solo, a piece which turns into a lyrical bossa nova as
Colligan
makes his entrance. The late
James Williams
'
"Arioso"
is an unjustly obscure piece, though the talented
Art Blakey
alum was a gifted composer and pianist.
dives headlong into this piece, with
providing a solid undercurrent for the pianist's intense workout. The two standards from the session are of equal interest.
"Nobody Else But Me"
is played at a deliberate tempo with plenty of space, while
"Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams"
is suitably lighthearted. ~ Ken Dryden